Tuesday, 22 December 2015

Following the deferral of the planning applications for the biogas plant at Higher Fraddon – partly to explore an alternative access to the site from the A30 – a meeting was held with Highways England at the Cornwall Council Offices at Bodmin on Monday.

Present at the meeting were two representatives of Highways England (Alexis Field, Sally Parish) and one from their contractors Kier (Dave Ewings), three representatives from Cornwall Council (Nigel Doyle, Jeremy Edwards and Jim Holt) as well as Steve Double MP and his wife Ann, Dan Johns from the pig farm (plus a planning consultant for JMW Farms Ltd; Russell Dodge), David Manley (Greener for Life) and two representatives from the Higher Fraddon Residents Group; Anne Woolcock and Bella McCarthy.

Anne and Bella are pictured below, just before the meeting, with a petition of over 700 names calling for a new access off the A30.

I was also there and chaired the ninety minute session.

At the meeting, the representatives of Highways England made it clear that they considered the A30 to be an important corridor to promote economic growth, which they wished to turn into an “expressway.” They also made clear to us that they were not keen for additional junctions to be created.

They did however acknowledge that new junctions could be allowed in very exceptional circumstances, but advised that any justification would be very, very difficult to achieve.

In spite of the Highways England view on a new access, they agreed to send additional information about its approach to the trunk road network to local representatives.

Attendees at the meeting also discussed a range of issues relating to traffic and the biogas plant, and we will be reporting back in detail at the next meeting of the Higher Fraddon Community Forum.

This will take place on Wednesday 13th January at Kingsley Village and all are welcome.

Monday, 21 December 2015

Some good news for Christmas … The High Court has ruled that the unitary authority will be allowed to scrap its contract with BT to run IT, human resources and other services.

There will be much to read and digest in the coming weeks, but Mr Justice Knowles has apparently ruled that BT “faced problems of its own making” and did not provide “the service it had promised to the standard it had promised.”

I am proud of the fact that all MK councillors on Cornwall Council opposed the outsourcing in 2012 and recent events show that we were clearly right to do so.

Thursday, 17 December 2015

On 23rd November, I wrote about how three representatives of the “Local Government Boundary Commission for England” (sic) came to Cornwall and informed councillors that we had to undertake an immediate boundary review (ie. number of councillors and ward boundaries) for the 2017 council elections.

This was in spite of the fact that the so-called “devolution deal” between Cornwall Council and central government included the following:

“Cornwall Council will take forward a council boundary review. The boundary review is expected to reduce the number of local councillors and will be taken forward by the Boundary Commission. This review will commence in 2017.”

At Tuesday’s Full Council meeting, it was agreed to set up a cross-party panel to undertake the work and I will be MK’s representative on the body.

Councillors across the chamber are extremely upset about the rushed review that will no ensue.

And I am also saddened at the initial wave of press coverage, which is factually challenged and very demeaning of the role and work of Cornwall Councillors.

Graham Smith writing in the Cornish Guardian made the ridiculous statement that: “The size of Cornwall Council, which has 123 councillors, has been a cause for concern … the Welsh Assembly has only 60 members and the Scottish Parliament is not much bigger than Cornwall Council, with 126 (sic).” There are actually 129 MSPs.

First, this is a ridiculous comparison as the unitary authority is most certainly a parliament or an assembly, and the reality is that Cornwall (population 535,000) has less councillors than most other areas.

Prior to the creation of the unitary authority, Cornwall had 331 councillors on principal local authorities. It now has only 123.

The contrast with the local government arrangements in the neighbouring English counties of Devon and Somerset is also very stark. Devon (population 1.4 million) has 492 councillors, while Somerset (population 913,000) has 425 councillors.

Wednesday, 16 December 2015

The future of the Sky Tip has been well covered in today’s local newspapers (Cornish Guardian and St Austell Voice), following a splurge of publicity from Eco-bos – the firm which wishes to build the so-called eco-community at West Carclaze and Baal.

Eco-bos have “confirmed” that the Sky-Tip is safe and will not be removed as part of the development.

To be exact, a spokesman for the firm actually said:

“I am aware of the speculation around the future of the Sky Tip but to be absolutely clear Eco-Bos has never proposed removing the Sky Tip so its future is not in doubt … Sky Tip is and always has been staying as part of the West Carclaze regeneration – not only to reflect the area's mining history but as the focal point for our exciting proposals for a major new heritage park."

To state that Eco-bos has “never proposed removing the Sky Tip” is untrue.

In 2014, there was a consultation about the “eco-community” from Cornwall Council and Eco-bos. There were three scenarios which included the “modification or relocation of the Sky Tip.”

Scenario 1 stated: “Sky Tip removed, and new sculpted landscape feature located on top of West Carclaze Mica Dam; becoming land sculpture public open space.”

Scenario 2 stated: “Sky Tip retained, transformed to improve safety for ease of public access and sculpted to provide a new viewpoint.” To translate – this meant that it would be levelled and a landscape reprofiled so that the Sky Tip would not be recognisable.

Scenario 3 stated: “Sky Tip removed, and new sculpted landscape feature located on top of West Carclaze Mica Dam; becoming land art integrating a recreation hub and viewpoint.”

It is probably more important to remember that Cornwall Council has agreed, as reported recently, to modify its Local Plan to ensure that the “provision of eco-communities at West Carclaze & Baal and Par Docks [will be] led by a masterplan and design code” to include the “retention of the Sky Tip and other distinctive landscape features as part of the green infrastructure of the site.”

I still consider that the arguments made by Cllr Luke and I were compelling, but they achieved no real traction with the wider membership of Cornwall Council.

My contribution to the debate was as follows:

As one of the members for the China Clay Area, I would wish to move the amendment to remove the allocation of an eco-community at West Carclaze and Baal; and ask that officers are delegated to redistribute the 1,200 properties pro-rata across all 19 networks.I will acknowledge that this amendment was not supported at the Planning PAC. But for a number of us in the Clay Area – as long-standing opponents of the eco-town – this is about being boringly consistent.The “eco-community” proposal was included in the Local Plan because central government included a St Austell “eco-town” in a Planning Policy Statement. But that PPS was cancelled on 6th March “for all areas … except north-west Bicester.”The inspector also queried what the Council was trying to achieve with the allocation.This, I believe, means councillors can legitimately reconsider whether the proposed development near Penwithick is appropriate.I believe it is not.The level of housing development in the Clay Area has been very high. And if the level of housing proposed for Clay Country (including the eco-community) does go ahead, the housing stock of our area would increase by 87% between 1990 and 2030.This is excessive. It will, for example, be three times the level of housing growth experienced in South East Cornwall and more than double compared to a number of other networks including West Penwith, Falmouth & Penryn, and Wadebridge & Padstow.I would add that, when the China Clay Area Network met in October, it was unanimous in asking the unitary authority to withdraw its backing for the "eco-community."Please support the amendment and ensure a fairer, more equitable distribution of the housing target.

In his contribution to the debate, Cllr Matt Luke told the meeting that there was “significant local opposition to the development of over one thousand extra houses in an area that has already had higher housing growth than any other part of Cornwall.”

In particular, he pointed out that the present application for an “eco-community” had been opposed by over 1,000 people, two local parish councils and St Austell Town Council.

But it was all to no avail, though the revised Local Plan does contain additional constraints as I outlined in my blog of 13th December.

A revised draft of the Cornwall Local Plan was agreed at today’s Full Council meeting.

As readers of this blog will know, a submission draft of the document was presented to central government earlier this year and a single Government Inspector, Simon Emerson, was appointed to review the proposed planning policies at an Examination in Public (EIP).

The first stage of the EIP took place in May, when Mr Everson ruled that the Examination be suspended so that elements of the document could be rewritten.

Today’s meeting basically agreed those changes, as instructed by Mr Everson, with the headline housing target now being 52,500 based a new FOAN (Full Objectively Assessed Need.

Councillors from across the Chamber voted to agree the changes to the document, because frankly that was all they could do.

However, I proposed that the “eco-community” allocation be removed from the document, and the housing reallocated to other parts of Cornwall, but my proposal was defeated overwhelmingly.

Sunday, 13 December 2015

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has just released the latest GVA (gross value added) figures, which record economic performance across the UK.

For those who want a better understanding of GVA, it is the “measure of the growth of national income. It is measured by adding up the income generated by individuals and businesses in the production of goods and services, including the effects of inflation, but excluding taxes such as VAT.”

These latest figures are for the year 2014 and show that Cornwall has the lowest economic performance of any nation in the United Kingdom.

In 2014, England had a GVA per head of £25,367, which was 103.1% of the UK average, followed by Scotland with a GVA of £23,102 (93.9%). Doing less well were Northern Ireland and Wales, with GVA figures of £18,682 (75.9%) and £17,573 (71.4%) respectively.

By comparison, the figure for Cornwall (including the Isles of Scilly) was only £17,278, which was 70.2% of the UK average.

Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly is also one of forty “NUTS2 sub-regions,” and it is the 38th worst-performing, only doing better than the Tees Valley & Durham and West Wales & the Valleys.

Also, very worryingly, the latest ONS bulletin stated: “GVA per head increased in 39 of the 40 NUTS2 sub-regions … the only sub-region not to increase was Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly, where GVA per head decreased by 0.1%.”

Figures from the ONS also show that the United Kingdom has the greatest regional disparity of any country in the European Union, with the GVA in the Inner London (West) NUTS2 sub-region recorded at £123,406 per head – seven times that of Cornwall.

It is my view that these statistics show that Cornwall has been failed by the economic policy, and investment priorities, of the Westminster Government, which has repeatedly failed to address the massive economic inequalities between the regions and nations of the UK.

These GVA figures should unite people of all political persuasions to put real pressure on central government to agree an Economic Fairness Act to ensure Cornwall gets it fair share of government investment.

The petition to safeguard the sky-tip near Penwithick (which has been under threat from the proposed development of a so-called eco-community) secured great deal of publicity last week.

It ranged from the Daily Mail through to Radio 5live and Radio Cornwall.

Much of the coverage was factually challenged, with the Daily Mail even headlining: “Could Cornish slag heap become a Unesco site? Campaigners fight to get 'landmark' recognised after plans threaten to flatten it …”

I was quoted by the Daily Mail, though they did not speak to me. They reused a statement from 18 months ago, which was: “I cannot comprehend this sudden desire to wreck such an important part of the industrial heritage of mid Cornwall and, to be frank, it saddens me greatly. Make no mistake, the destruction of the sky-tip is unacceptable and we must do all that we can do to stop such cultural vandalism.”

Readers of this blog will know that I attempted to have the “eco-community” removed from the Cornwall Local Plan at the last meeting of the Planning Policy Advisory Committee.

Supporters of the scheme did however acknowledge that there needed to be stronger controls over the development, including the protection of the sky-tip.

Text has been added to the Cornwall Local Plan, which will be debated at Tuesday’s meeting of Full Council.

The new text includes the following:

Policy 3 …

The provision of eco-communities at West Carclaze and Baal [and Par Docks] led by a masterplan and design code that will set out the framework for the development and reflect the aspiration for environmental quality, including the delivery of all of the following alongside the other policies of this plan:

- 30% affordable housing and 5% self and/or custom build housing;

- Improved access to public transport and non-car travel modes.

And for the West Carclaze and Baal sites:

- Provision of employment space, Carluddon technology park and space for further economic growth; - The provision of a new local centre to include facilities for health, neighbourhood shopping, community facilities and a new primary school;- Strategic scale open space with public access and trails linking into existing networks as part of green infrastructure improvements; - The retention of the Sky Tip and other distinctive landscape features as part of the green infrastructure of the site;- Demonstrate high levels of energy efficiency in the fabric of buildings on the site; - Strategic Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems to reduce flood risk on and beyond the site; - Meeting all of the regulated energy requirements of the development from renewable and low carbon sources on or near to the site; - Provision of low carbon heat via a heat network with consideration given to sourcing that heat from geothermal resources within the vicinity of the site; and

Sites for the eco-communities will be identified through the Site Allocations DPD.

For information, I will still be opposing the eco-community at this Tuesday’s meeting.

Thursday, 3 December 2015

Today, Cornwall Council’s ruling (Independent / Liberal Democrat) Cabinet considered the latest draft of the Cornwall Local Plan – see my blog from 17 November for more information.

I took the opportunity to invite the ten members of the Cabinet to remove the so-called “eco-community” allocation (for West Carclaze and Baal) from the document, and reallocate the housing to other parts of Cornwall.

As with the recent PAC meeting, I reminded councillors that:

- An “eco-community” proposal had been included in the Cornwall Local Plan because central government had included a St Austell “eco-town” in a Planning Policy Statement. But since the PPS has recently been withdrawn, councillors could legitimately reconsider whether the allocation was appropriate.
- If the level of housing proposed for the China Clay Area (including eco-community) was allowed to go forward, it would mean that the housing stock of Clay Country would increase by 87% over four decades (from 1991 to 2030).
- The “live” application for a 1,500 unit eco-community does not have local support. It has been opposed by over 1,000 representations, two local parish councils and St Austell Town Council.
- Last month, the China Clay Community Network Area had written to Cornwall Council seeking that the unitary authority withdraw its backing for the "eco-community."

Sadly, no-one on the Cabinet took up my challenge and argued against the "eco-community."

The document will now be referred to Cornwall Council on 15th December.

Wednesday, 2 December 2015

The leadership team of Mebyon Kernow – the Party for Cornwall has today issued a statement setting out its opposition to British air strikes on Syria.

This follows the announcement that the Westminster Parliament will today be debating whether British forces take part in further air strikes against ISIL.

The statement is as follows:

“We unreservedly condemn the unforgivable attacks from ISIS, which are truly barbaric, but consider that air strikes are likely to prove to be counter-productive.

“Such attacks would inevitably lead to yet more civilian casualties and refugees, and do little to end the civil war in Syria. The air strikes could even lead to a further escalation of terrorism around the globe, make the UK a much less safe place and even more susceptible to attacks.

“It is telling that MPs on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee have also concluded that the Prime Minister has ‘not adequately addressed concerns’ raised by MPs in its recent report on the UK’s approach to Syria.

“We would fully support international efforts to tackle ISIS through other means, such as undermining their oil sales and reducing its financial strength, while restricting its access to arms.

“We also support a political solution to secure a peace deal for Syria and the wider area, which could then lead to wider plan for the reconstruction of the region.

“At the same time, we would appeal to the Prime Minister not to repeat the mistakes of past military interventions, such as in Afghanistan and Iraq.”

Monday, 30 November 2015

My article in this week’s Cornish Guardian somewhat predictably covers the recent Spending Review. Though I have already covered this on my blog – for completeness – here is the article.

The responses to the Government’s Spending Review have predictably been mixed.

One Conservative-leaning newspaper, for example, declared that the Chancellor’s long-term economic plan equated to an “end to austerity,” which is simply not true.

I prefer to stand with those commentators who have complained about George Osborne’s “smoke and mirrors,” that conceal devastating cuts – many hidden in the small print – which will do great harm to communities across Cornwall.

The extent of cuts were deemed not as severe as feared, because the Office for Budget Responsibility had projected that the public finances would be £27 billion better off by the end of the parliament.

One dissenting voice noted that the OBR expected “more money to flow into government coffers from income taxes, corporation tax and VAT than it did at the time of its last forecasts,” but countered that this was only four months ago and the new forecasts must therefore be questionable.

There was some good news with George Osborne announcing a u-turn on his plan to reduce funding for policing and also reversing tax credit cuts for the working poor.

It shows that strong political campaigns can succeed and I would like to congratulate everyone who played their part in putting pressure on the Chancellor to perform these much needed changes in policy.

But the victory on tax credits is likely to be short-lived. The Government is still committed to £12 billion in welfare cuts and the less-well-off will lose out when the new universal credit system is rolled out. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has estimated that, by 2020, 2.6 million families will be worse off by £1,600 a year.

The cuts are continuing with business, culture, environment, justice and transport among those government departments which had their funding slashed last week, while councils across the UK are right to be fearful.

In terms of local government, George Osborne’s statement was full of talk of “efficiency savings,” “the sale of assets” and a growth in “self-financed expenditure” – that is council tax increases to you and me. But his key announcement was his plan to entirely phase out main grants to local councils by 2020.

Even the Government’s own councillors are saying is truly unsustainable. Lord Porter, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said: “Even if councils stopped filling in potholes, maintaining parks, closed all children’s centres, libraries, museums, leisure centres and turned off every street light they will not have saved enough money to plug the financial black hole they face by 2020.”

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Mebyon Kernow has welcomed the Government’s partial u-turns on tax credits and police funding, but we have also condemned the Conservatives for pushing ahead with other damaging cuts in today’s Spending Review.

It is certainly good news that George Osborne has been forced to retreat from his shocking plans to both reduce funding for local police forces and slash tax credits for the working poor.

It shows that strong political campaigns can succeed and I would like to congratulate everyone who played their part in putting pressure on the Chancellor to perform these much needed u-turns.

But the Spending Review still includes devastating cuts – many hidden in the small print – that will do great harm to communities across Cornwall.

Many people have commented that the extent of cuts in the Spending Review is not as severe as anticipated, because of new estimates from the Office for Budget Responsibility which suggest that public finances will be £27 billion better off by the end of the parliament.

But I remain sceptical about the new projections given that other recent reports have been starker in terms of tax-take, and the Chancellor’s real agenda.

However George Osborne spins his announcements, he cannot mask his ideological commitment to reduce spending from 45% of “national income” to only 36.5% by 2020.

He is still pushing ahead with £12 billion in welfare cuts including housing benefit changes, and he has massively reduced funding to a host of departments including transport, business and the environment.

And he is continuing with yet more devastating cuts to local government, having announced that he plans to entirely phase out grants to local councils by 2020. This is a shocking blow that even the Government’s own councillors are saying is truly unsustainable.

At last night’s meeting of St Enoder Parish Council, I presented my most recent monthly report. It includes much information that I have already posted on this blog, but it is here for the sake of completeness.

It covers the time period of 27th October to 22nd November 2015, and was as follows:

1. Council meetings

I have attended a range of formal meetings over the last month, many of which related to planning matters. These included: Cabinet, Strategic Planning Committee, an informal Planning and Development Improvement Board, and a briefing on the proposal for a so-called “eco-community” near St Austell. There were also two formal meetings of the Planning Policy Advisory Committee, the second of which considered the latest draft of the Cornwall Local Plan. I also took the lead in three meetings / pre-agenda / preparatory sessions about progress towards the preparation of a Local Plan for Cornwall (through my chairmanship of the Planning PAC).

In addition to the formal meetings listed above, I have had numerous meetings with council officers and others to discuss a range of issues.

2. Penare Pig Farm, Higher Fraddon and associated AD plant

- Strategic Planning Committee

The three planning applications for Penare were presented to the Strategic Planning Committee on 19th November, with the officers recommending approval for all three applications.

The debate took over four hours, and I was really impressed with the thorough scrutiny given to the applications by the members of the Committee.

Local people speaking at the meeting included Mel Morcom, Helen Martin, Sam Williams, Bella McCarthy, Anne Woolcock and Joszef Varga. All did extremely well. Michael Hopkins represented the Parish Council and spoke authoritatively on all three applications, while Dan Johns was also there for the pig farm.

The first application relating to the pig farm was passed. Councillors voted – in principle – by 14 votes to four to consent the (retrospective) development of the pig farm with additional and stronger conditions. The planning officers were given delegated authority to finalise the conditions – in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-chairman of the Committee, plus me. However, it was also agreed that if I was not happy with the conditions, I could refer the application back to the Committee.

The members of the Committee did listen to local residents and agreed that conditions should ensure bio-filter (or equivalent) odour treatment be inserted into all the livestock buildings. It was also agreed that the construction of the two new buildings they wanted could not commence until all existing buildings had been retrofitted with odour control.

Members also felt that the large livestock lorry, which had caused all manner of problems, should no longer go the farm and instead be replaced by a couple of smaller lorries. The farm manager had told me prior to the meeting that he was already investigating this and it should happen.

It was a different story with the biogas plant. Members of the Planning Committee seemed to universally share the concerns of local residents about how the plant had developed through the non-material amendments and expressed concern at the impact of the traffic, etc. Many were extremely angry at what had transpired, with a number speaking about the public meeting a few weeks back and their own visits to the lane.

The biogas applications were deferred so that the Council could make the case for an access off the A30 with Highways England, with the MP and other interested parties. No members spoke in favour of the applications and a number spoke strongly about refusing the application.

If no agreement can be reached with regard to the A30, it was clear that the councillors will look to refuse the application when it is brought back to the Committee. I cannot remember a meeting when councillors were so united against a proposal.

- Letter to Highways England

I spoke to Ann Double, who was at the meeting on behalf of her husband Steve Double MP, and they have already written to the Roads Minister Andrew Jones MP seeking a high-level meeting to discuss access off the A30.

- Higher Fraddon Community Forum

Because of the imminent meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee, there have been no meetings of the Higher Fraddon Community Forum since 2nd September. I will now be looking into reconvening the Forum in the near future.

3. Application for wind turbines on Pines Tip

The planning application for three wind turbines on Pines Tip was also due to be heard by the Strategic Planning Committee on 19th November. The published report recommended that the application be refused and gave two reasons. These were (i) the lack of local support, which did not meet the test set out in the latest Ministerial Statement, and (ii) cumulative landscape impact.

The application was pulled from the agenda because the applicant stated that they wished to submit further information to address the concerns of the planning officers. Legal advice was sought and this stated that it would be premature to make a decision on the application.

The case officer has told me that he anticipates the application will probably be heard in February.

4. Cornwall Local Plan

I also chaired the latest (four-hour) meeting of the Planning Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) at Cornwall Council on 17th November.

The one item on the agenda was the latest version of the Cornwall Local Plan, which has been redrafted following the first stage of the Examination in Public which took place in May.

As a result of the Examination, the government inspector instructed the Council to make a series of changes to make the document “sound,” and therefore adoptable. This included increasing Cornwall’s housing target for the period 2010-2030.

Officers presented a new FOAN (Full Objectively Assessed Need) for Cornwall’s so-called housing needs, which followed guidance set in place by central government and his appointed Inspector.

The new target is 52,500 new properties for the plan period, which was accepted by those councillors at the meeting because they struggled to envisage how a lower figure could be acceptable to the Inspector. They were also fully aware that David Cameron had recently told councils that, if a local plan was not in place by 2017, the government would step in and take control of the process away from local councillors and impose [an even worse] plan.

There was also much discussion around other aspects of the revised Local Plan, particularly affordable housing and the distribution of housing development around Cornwall.

The proposed housing target for the China Clay Area for the period 2010-2030 is 1,800 properties, though the actual target for St Enoder has yet to be finalised.

The China Clay Area is also expected to accommodate a so-called “eco-community” of an additional 1,200 properties by 2030, making the overall target 3,000 new housing units. [The proposal is for 1,500 properties, but it is estimated that only 1,200 would be completed by 2030.

At the PAC meeting, I made the following points:

· An “eco-community” proposal had been included in the Cornwall Local Plan because central government had included a St Austell “eco-town” in a Planning Policy Statement. But since the PPS has recently been withdrawn, councillors could legitimately reconsider whether the allocation was appropriate.

· If the level of housing proposed for the China Clay Area (including eco-community) was allowed to go forward, it would mean that the housing stock of Clay Country would increase by 87% over four decades (from 1991 to 2030).

· The “live” application for a 1,500 unit eco-community does not have local support. It has been opposed by over 1,000 representations, two local parish councils and St Austell Town Council.

· Last month, the China Clay Community Network Area had written to Cornwall Council seeking that the unitary authority withdraws its backing for the "eco-community."

A number of councillors spoke in favour of the “eco-community”, while others argued that they did not want to change the “distribution” at this “late stage” or high housing growth in Clay Country was not enough to justify cancelling the development.

I nonetheless proposed that the “eco-community” allocation be removed from the document, and the housing reallocated to other parts of Cornwall. This was seconded by independent councillor Gary King from St Austell, but I was extremely disappointed that the proposal was defeated by six votes to two.

The unitary authority’s Cabinet will consider the Local Plan on 3rd December, followed by the Full Council on 15th December.

5. Leisure centres and libraries

I also attended a meetings of the Cabinet to raise my concerns about the plans brought forward by the ruling administration of the unitary authority to shift council leisure centres and related facilities to the private sector, and pass one-stop shops and libraries to parish councils and community groups – neither of which I support.

But I do have enormous sympathy for the councillors on the Cabinet who have brought forward these proposals – which they themselves would prefer not to have to implement – because such proposals are a direct consequence of central government’s deep cuts.

In terms of the leisure centres, these are presently run for the Council via a contract with Tempest, but the new proposal could include the transfer of the freehold of the leisure centres to private providers. I was among a number of councillors who argued that, in whatever future arrangement was agreed, the freehold should be retained by the Council giving them greater control over service provision.

The Cabinet agreed that “freehold retention” would be an option going forward, though it is still unclear how this will pan out.

6. Lottery application

I am disappointed to report that my stage 1 application to the Big Lottery, for funding towards new play equipment in the Indian Queens Recreation Ground, has been unsuccessful.

I am not surprised at the decision. It is much harder to achieve funding from the Lottery than in the past, as I explained verbally at a recent meeting.

The response stated that the application for our project was “not strong enough” for us to be offered funding. It added:

“Reaching Communities projects which include this type of capital funding must be combined with a project to run activities from the resulting facility to address the needs of the wider community. This project was solely to replace and refurbish a community play facility.”

The letter also questioned “what issues, needs and disadvantages existed in beneficiaries in Indian Queens which the new play facility would address” – which I would challenge – and they made it clear that if we were to send “another application for the same project again, our experience suggests it is unlikely to be successful.”

At Tuesday’s meeting, I will put forward a revised proposal for how we fund the renovation of the play area.

7. InquiriesDuring the last month, I have been involved with a range of local initiatives and I have also helped numerous people and local organisations with advice and guidance on a wide range of issues.

Monday, 23 November 2015

Three representatives of the “Local Government Boundary Commission for England” (sic) were in Cornwall today to meet with the leaders of the various political groups on the unitary authority.

We all assumed this was to discuss the timetabling of the “boundary review” which Cornwall Council and central government had agreed would commence soon after the 2017 elections, well in advance of 2021 elections when the changes would be implemented. How wrong we were!

The representatives of the Commission told us that we had to commence a review immediately, and that the 2017 council elections would then be contested on whatever new boundaries were agreed.

All members were aghast at the meeting and we collectively pointed that such reviews should be done properly and not pushed through in a rush. But we were told – in no uncertain terms – that what we thought did not matter in the slightest.

If the Commission keeps to its own timetable (unlikely), it will not publish its final recommendations until January 2017 – just weeks before the actual elections.

The process will have two main elements.

First, there has to be agreement about the size of the unitary authority (ie. number of councillors). A reduction in councillor numbers is now inevitable, and we were informed that the number of elected members would need to be between 28 and 107! No – I do not know where their figures have come from.

And second, the actual divisions would need to be agreed with electorates that are broadly similar.

We were presented with a timetable (for the Commission itself) as follows:

Readers of my blog might be interested to know that the so-called “devolution deal” between Cornwall Council and central government included the following:

“Cornwall Council will take forward a council boundary review. The boundary review is expected to reduce the number of local councillors and will be taken forward by the Boundary Commission. This review will commence in 2017.”

When this was presented to Cornwall Council in July this year, councillors stated that the presumption that the number of elected members should be reduced was not appropriate. The “Deal” was agreed on the understanding, amongst other things, that this statement be removed but central government apparently did not have time to do this.

And now the agreement that the review should commence in 2017 has shown that pledge to worthless.

Thursday, 19 November 2015

I have just got back from New County Hall, Truro, following the Strategic Planning Committee meeting, which considered the retrospective application for the redevelopment of the pig farm at Higher Fraddon as well as the two applications relating to the biogas plant and its traffic movements.

The debate took about four-and-a-half hours, and I was really impressed with the thorough scrutiny given to the applications by the members of the Committee.

Local people speaking at the meeting included Mel Morcom, Helen Martin, Sam Williams, Bella MaCarthy, Anne Woolcock and Joszef Varga. All did extremely well. Michael Hopkins meanwhile spoke on behalf of the Parish Council, while Dan Johns was also there for the pig farm.

So what happened …

The first application relating to the pig farm was passed. Councillors voted – in principle – by 14 votes to four to consent the redevelopment of the pig farm with additional and stronger conditions. The planning officers were given delegated authority to finalise the conditions – in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-chairman of the Committee, plus me. However, it was also agreed that if I was not happy with the conditions, I could refer the application back to the Committee.

The members of the Committee did listen to local residents and agreed that conditions should ensure bio-filter (or equivalent) odour treatment should be inserted into all the livestock buildings. It was also agreed that the construction of the two new buildings they wanted could not commence until all existing buildings had been retrofitted with odour control.

Members also felt that the large livestock lorry, which had caused all manner of problems, should no longer go the farm and instead be replaced by a couple of smaller lorries. Dan had told me prior to the meeting that he was already investigating this and it should happen.

It was a different story with the biogas plant. Members of the Planning Committee seemed to universally share the concerns of local residents about how the plant had developed through the non-material amendments, the impact of the traffic, etc. Many were extremely angry at what had transpired, with a number speaking about the public meeting a few weeks back and their own visits to the lane.

The biogas applications were deferred so that the Council could make the case for an access off the A30 with Highways England, with the MP and other interested parties. No members spoke in favour of the applications and a number spoke strongly about refusing the application.

If no agreement can be reached with regard to the A30, it was clear that the councillors will look to refuse the application when it is brought back to the Committee. I have to say that I cannot remember a meeting when councillors were so united against a proposal.

I spoke to Ann Double, who was at the meeting on behalf of her husband Steve Double MP, and she has already confirmed she will be helping to chase up about the Highways England meeting tomorrow.

I consistently argued that because Clay Country has experienced so much housing growth in recent years, it merits a breathing space going forward. But Cornwall Council is pushing the “eco-community” and, once again, (proportionately) more housing is to be built in the China Clay Area than elsewhere.

If the housing figures proposed in the present draft of the Cornwall Local Plan are developed by 2030, the extent of housing growth in each Network Area over four decades (1991 - 2030) would be as follows:

It remains my view that the level of housing growth in the Mid Cornwall area is inappropriate and unsustainable, but other councillors do not appear to agree with me following today's vote on the "eco-community."

It is worth noting that the high levels of growth proposed in Bodmin and Newquay are as a consequence of support from local councillors in those towns.

The full statistics for the China Clay Area (supplied by Cornwall Council) are as follows:

I chaired the latest (four-hour) meeting of the Planning Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) at Cornwall Council, this afternoon.

The one item on the agenda was the latest version of the Cornwall Local Plan, which has been redrafted following the first stage of the Examination in Public who took place in May.

As a result of the Examination, the government inspector instructed the Council to make a series of changes to make the document “sound,” and therefore adoptable. This included increasing Cornwall’s housing target for the period 2010-2030.

Today, the officers presented a new FOAN (Full Objectively Assessed Need) for Cornwall, which followed guidance set in place by central government. The new target is 52,500 new properties for the plan period, which was accepted by councillors.

It is fair to say that members struggled to envisage how a lower figure could be acceptable to the Inspector. They were also fully aware that David Cameron had recently told councils that, if a local plan was not in place by 2017, the government would step in and take control of the process away from local councillors and impose [an even worse] plan.

There was also much discussion around other aspects of the revised Local Plan, particularly around affordable housing and the distribution of housing development around Cornwall.

I took the opportunity to argue that the proposal for an “eco-community” near St Austell should be removed from the document.

I told the meeting that:

- An “eco-community” proposal had been included in the Cornwall Local Plan because central government had included a St Austell “eco-town” in a Planning Policy Statement. But since the PPS has recently been withdrawn, councillors could legitimately reconsider whether the allocation was appropriate.
- If the level of housing proposed for the China Clay Area (including eco-community) was allowed to go forward, it would mean that the housing stock of Clay Country would increase by 87% over four decades (from 1991 to 2030).
- The “live” application for a 1,500 unit eco-community does not have local support. It has been opposed by over 1,000 representations, two local parish councils and St Austell Town Council.
- Last month, the China Clay Community Network Area had written to Cornwall Council seeking that the unitary authority withdraw its backing for the "eco-community."

This part of the meeting was a little fractious and a number of councillors spoke in favour of the “eco-community”, while others argued that they did not want to change the “distribution” at this “late stage” or that high housing growth in Clay Country in the past was not enough to justify a breathing space at this time.

I nonetheless proposed that the “eco-community” allocation be removed from the document, and the housing reallocated to other parts of Cornwall. This was seconded by independent councillor Gary King from St Austell, but I was extremely disappointed that the proposal was defeated by six votes to two.

The unitary authority’s Cabinet will consider the Local Plan on 3rd December, followed by the Full Council on 15th December.

Monday, 16 November 2015

Two months ago in the Cornish Guardian, I strongly expressed my view that the blame for cuts being implemented by Cornwall Council (and other local authorities) should be placed squarely at the door of central government.

Here in Cornwall, recent headlines have focussed on plans to shift council leisure centres to the private sector, and pass one-stop shops and libraries to parish councils and community groups – both of which I do not support.

But I do have enormous sympathy for the councillors on the Cabinet who have brought forward these proposals – which they themselves would prefer not to have to implement – because such proposals are a direct consequence of central government’s deep cuts.

What is more, Government ministers have had the nerve to criticise cash-strapped councils for retreating from some frontline services.

It has now transpired that the Prime Minister – who represents an Oxfordshire constituency – recently wrote a private letter to Ian Hudspeth, the leader of Oxfordshire County Council, to complain about local cuts.

David Cameron’s letter stated that he was “disappointed at the long list” of suggested cuts to frontline services which included “elderly day centres, to libraries, to museums.” He also condemned the “unwelcome and counter-productive proposals to close children’s centres across the county.”

Cameron’s letter told the council leader that he should be making “back-office savings” and unbelievably claimed that “spending had increased in the authority in recent years.”

It was certainly heartening to see the robust response of the true-blue Mr Hudspeth, who pointed out government grants had actually been cut by £72m or 37%.

It almost unbelievable that David Cameron can write such ill-informed letters, containing inaccurate information. It clearly shows that he does not understand the impact of his Government.

One journalist (George Monbiot) put it better than I might:

“David Cameron hasn’t the faintest idea how deep his cuts go. This letter proves it … have you ever wondered how the Prime Minister sleeps at night? How can he live with himself after imposing such gratuitous pain upon the people of this nation? Well now, it seems, you have your answer: he appears to be blissfully unaware of the impact of his own policies.”

It now remains to be seen whether Cornwall’s six Tory MPs will be quick to use this “revelation” to put pressure on the Prime Minister and Chancellor to reverse cuts to local government and Cornwall Council, in particular.[This will be my article in this week’s Cornish Guardian].

Sunday, 15 November 2015

I would like to thank everyone who attended this year’s MK Party Conference. Your support is much appreciated.

And for those who could not be present, printed below is the press release for the event which has just been released By MK.

PRESS RELEASE: MK HOLD 2015 PARTY CONFERENCE

Solidarity with the people of Paris

MK’s 2015 Conference, which took place in Truro on Saturday (14th November), opened with party members standing in silence to express their sadness at the shocking events which had unfolded in France on Friday evening.

The Chairman of the morning session, Cllr Loveday Jenkin, said: “We thought it was extremely important to show our solidarity with the people of Paris, following the terrible terrorist attacks of the previous evening.”Report on 2015 MK Party Conference

Keynote speeches to the event were delivered by Party Leader Cllr Dick Cole and former Labour councillor Michael Bunney (below).

A series of motions were also debated at the event.

· Party members re-affirmed their commitment to a “National Assembly of Cornwall, which would have democratic control over the wider public sector” like the “National Assembly of Wales and Scottish Parliament,” and were extremely critical of the recent “extremely feeble and top-down ‘devolution deal’,” which gave greater authority to “unelected and democratically unaccountable bodies, such as the Local Enterprise Partnership. They also condemned the Westminster parties for deliberately undermining meaningful “democratic devolution” to Cornwall by treating it as a “local government” rather than a historic nation which merited greater self-government.

· The meeting was also addressed by Hannah Brotherstone, a junior doctor at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, who briefed party members on threats to the National Health Service from proposed government changes, including alterations to the working conditions of doctors. Party members reaffirmed MK’s commitment to the NHS as a universal health service, which supplies the best possible healthcare free at the point of use for one and all; restated MK’s opposition to the ongoing privatisation of the NHS; and gave full support to health service staff, including junior doctors.

· Delegates at the event – which included a number of individuals who played prominent roles in the fight against the waste incinerator at St Dennis – agreed a detailed new policy on waste.

At the Conference, members also debated MK campaign priorities and agreed an action plan for the next two years, leading up to the elections to the unitary authority and town and parish elections across Cornwall.

Mebyon Kernow: looking ahead to the 2017 elections with confidence

Speaking at MK’s Party Conference, Cllr Dick Cole appealed to party members to prioritise working hard over the next 18 months to win as many seats as possible at the 2017 elections to Cornwall Council.

In a wide-ranging key-note speech Cllr Cole condemned the Conservative Government for its destructive cuts to public services, its attempt to take tax credits away from the working poor, the regional inequity of its investment programme, and its approach to housing and planning.

Commenting on the Tories’ announcement that they intended to redefine affordable housing for sale as properties costing less than a quarter of a million pounds, he told delegates:

“Government ministers and MPs may themselves be living in nice properties, but they certainly not living in the real world.”

He also slammed the Conservative’s “devolution deal” and stated that Cornwall had been “short-changed” by the central Government, repeating MK’s core demand for a National Assembly of Cornwall.

During his address, he also bluntly acknowledged that the General Election had been a “difficult contest for MK” and, in spite of much positive feedback, the Party “had not polled as strongly as we would have liked.”

He thanked party members for all their hard work during 2015 and made it clear that they should be proud of the case MK put before the voters of Cornwall which had included:

· A new democratic settlement through the creation of a National Assembly of Cornwall.

· A geographical re-balancing of the UK economy away from London and the South East.

· Fair funding for public services in Cornwall.

· Greater investment in public works to boost local economic activity.

· Opposition to the privatisation of our National Health Service and the destruction of our public services.

· Opposition to the establishment consensus around austerity, which is impacting most severely on the vulnerable and the less-well-off.

He added that the 2015 General Election had raised MK’s profile and described himself as “confident,” looking ahead to the 2017 elections to the unitary authority and Cornwall’s town and parish councils.

The St Enoder councillor told members that they should treat these upcoming contests as MK’s “General Election.”

Cllr Cole told the meeting:

“Ours is a distinctive political force, which is and will always be unashamedly pro-Cornwall. We are based here and we have no political masters in Westminster to please.

“Let’s start the run-in to the Cornwall Council elections now; let’s make it our best campaign ever; and let’s win for Cornwall.”

Sunday, 8 November 2015

Thousands of people attended the recent Remembrance Day commemorations across Cornwall and I was honoured to be able to lay a wreath at my local war memorial in St Enoder Churchtown.

It is right that we remember the dead from all conflicts but, as we continue to mark the centenary of the First World War, it is especially important that we all learn more about the war which engulfed the globe between 1914 and 1918 and led to the tragic deaths of millions, leaving no community untouched.

Each year, the fallen are remembered when the names on local war memorials are read out. But I think we need to do more. It is not enough to just remember the names of those who died. We should know more about who they were, what they did in their lives, what happened to them, and the consequences of their deaths for their families and friends. In short, we should know the human story behind each and every name.

Looking back, some sixty servicemen from my home area of Fraddon, Indian Queens, St Columb Road and Summercourt did not return home from WW1. The majority of these men died in the final three years of the war, though four lost their lives – 100 years ago – in 1915.

The first of these was William Ephraim Dunstan. A china clay labourer, he was born in Canada in 1884 to Cornish parents though his family returned to mid Cornwall when he was a small child. He served in the 6th battalion of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and was killed on 31st July during a “liquid fire” flamethrower attack on British positions at Zouave Woods near Ypres. His body was never recovered.

Richard Enoder Tonkin was killed on 7th August. Born in Fraddon in 1892, his family emigrated to New Zealand when he was a child and settled in Auckland. Prior to the conflict, he worked as a fireman on a local railway. Richard served with the Otago Regiment and was killed in a battle on the Gallipoli peninsula. He is buried in the Chunuk Bair Cemetery in Turkey, which contains the remains of 632 Commonwealth servicemen of which only ten have named graves. Richard is one of the ten.

William Henry Hare of Fraddon lost his life on 13th August when the transport ship Royal Edward was torpedoed en route to the Dardenelles. An older man at 47, he had only enlisted with the Army Service Corps in the previous month. Born in Truro, he moved east to work in the clay industry and had become a wall mason. He was a married man with three daughters.

The fourth local casualty in 1915 was 18 year old William Pearce from Indian Queens. A trooper in the Royal North Devon Hussars, he also served in the Gallipoli campaign but died on 3rd November of dysentery. He was aboard the hospital ship H. M. Kildonan Castle at the time of his death and was buried at sea.

It is so important that everyone is remembered and it is to be welcomed that the Royal British Legion, working with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, has launched an initiative to ensure that every single man and woman from across the Commonwealth who died is individually commemorated by people alive today.

The project is called Every Man Remembered, but it also incorporates Every Woman Remembered as over 800 women died in the conflict. To find out more, see: www.everymanremembered.org.

Saturday, 7 November 2015

Fifty years ago this weekend, the United Kingdom Government split the Chagos Archipelago away from Mauritius to form the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Within a very short period, between 1967 and 1973, the Chagos Islanders were forcibly evicted from their homes so that the British Government could lease the largest island, known as Diego Garcia, to the United States for the construction of one of the biggest military bases in the world.

The expulsion of this community has been condemned many times as one of the “most shameful episodes in British post-war history,” and Cameron’s government still refuses to right this terrible wrong, just like the previous governments of Blair and Brown.

Monday, 2 November 2015

This afternoon, I attended a meeting in St Austell, which updated Cornwall Councillors and other invited guests about the planning application for the 1,500-property eco-town near Penwithick.

The meeting was addressed by Samih Sawiris of Eco-bos, who lead the hard sell! He informed the meeting that he would once again be taking an active role in the promotion of the eco-town proposal.

We were told that, from this point forward, Eco-bos would be formally taking on the lead in terms of the planning application from Cornwall Council. I am not sure how this could be done in terms of the present application and I guess that the Cornwall Council application may have to be withdrawn and a fresh application submitted.

I am following up on this and will report when I know more.

At the meeting, I reaffirmed my opposition to the plans. I raised a number of points including (i) the extent of local opposition to the scheme, (ii) the already high levels of housing growth in the China Clay Area, and (iii) the low number of affordable homes offered as part of the present application.

It was all very different to last week’s meeting of the China Clay Community Network Panel, made up of Cornwall and parish councillors for the area, when it was unanimously agreed to seek the removal of the eco-town housing allocation in the Cornwall Local Plan!

Sunday, 1 November 2015

On 15th May, I wrote to all six Conservative MPs and challenged them to push for the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act to be revisited and to do everything in their power to prevent the creation of a cross-Tamar constituency.

Two MPs responded, though neither fully addressed the points I raised.

Sarah Newton MP (Falmouth and Truro) replied as follows:

“I have noted your comments, and understand how important it is for you to express your concern regarding the boundary changes. At a time when the country is still clearing the budget deficit inherited from the previous Labour Government, it is right to set an example by cutting the cost of politics and reducing the number of MPs.

“That is why I support the plans put forward in the Conservative Party manifesto to address the unfairness of the current boundaries, as well as reducing the number of MPs to 600 to cut the cost of politics and make votes of more equal value.

“In addition, the Conservative manifesto laid out the party’s intention to implement the boundary reforms that Parliament has already approved and make them apply automatically once the Boundary Commission reports in 2018.

“In my view this is a common sense approach that is good for the taxpayer and good for democracy.”

George Eustice MP (Camborne and Redruth) meanwhile wrote:

“As you know, all Cornish MPs including myself argued that there should not be a cross border “Devonwall” constituency in the last parliament when this was discussed. We tabled an amendment and tried to get the legislation changed. However, we were unsuccessful in doing so and the final plan to emerge for boundary changes therefore included a cross border constituency in North Cornwall and North Devon.

“In the event, the boundary change was not implemented as a result of a coalition dispute over Lords reform. However, the legislation that established the new boundaries still stands. It is quite likely that it will therefore be implemented for the next General Election, but I have not seen any immediate plans on this.

“I will follow this issue, but the time to change it was when the original legislation went through three years ago. We tried to do this but were ultimately unsuccessful.”

I find these two responses extremely disappointing and I have today rewritten to the other four MPs seeking their views.

Further information

The letter that I wrote was as follows:

On behalf of Mebyon Kernow – the Party for Cornwall, I am writing to all six Cornish MPs following statements from senior Conservatives which stated that the redrawing of parliamentary constituency boundaries is “at the top of the agenda” for the new government.

If the government does enact the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act, this will inevitably lead to a “Devonwall” seat, which we, and many others, consider to be unacceptable.

It is my view that you, as a Conservative MP, are in a strong position to ensure that the legislation is revisited, and I would ask that you do all in your power to prevent the creation of a cross-Tamar constituency.

It is my belief that the territorial integrity of Cornwall – a historic Celtic nation – must be protected and its future MPs must serve constituencies that lie entirely within the boundaries of Cornwall (and the Isles of Scilly).

It is also the case that the Cornish people have been recognised as a “national minority,” which reinforces why the historic border of Cornwall should be treated the same as the historic borders of Scotland and Wales when it comes to the delineation of new constituencies.”

I look forward to hearing from you about the actions that you will be taking on this matter.

Friday, 30 October 2015

In this coming week’s Cornish Guardian, I have chosen to focus on recent publicity about the Cornish language and to publicise the news that the unitary authority will be adopting a new Language Plan next week. Thanks to Pol Hodge for the translation. The article will be as follow:

The Cornish language has been in the headlines quite a bit lately and, this week, Cornwall Council will be agreeing a new Cornish Language Plan.

Media stories have included the call from acclaimed poet Benjamin Zephaniah for a greater awareness of the "different cultures and languages" of Britain, when he also expressed the view that Cornish should be taught more widely.

The erection of a prominent “dual language” sign on the police station in Truro was also widely covered, while Cornwall Council’s confirmation that it would be encouraging reception staff to sometimes use Cornish phrases made it into a host of UK-wide and regional newspapers.

Much of the coverage has been extremely positive, and I was very pleased that a poll on the Daily Mirror website found over 90% agreed “Cornwall’s old language” should be preserved.

But sadly, illiberal comments on newspaper websites such as The (Manchester!) Guardian continue to show considerable disrespect to Cornwall and its identity, while TV comedian Jimmy Carr even got in on the act with offensive comments about the Cornish which he could not have made against other ethnic groups.

I hope that we can rise above such comments and use them as a catalyst to work even harder to promote our distinct national identity.

Olie is quite pleased with his first outing and, as I told him at the count, his share of the vote at 13% is exactly what I managed in my first election. I am very proud of the effort he has put in, and I am certainly looking forward to working with him for a long time to come.

Thursday, 29 October 2015

According to a leaked internal staff briefing seen by the BBC, the Devon and Cornwall Police could lose around 1,300 members of staff over the next five years.

The document included a revised analysis of expected budget cuts which could lead to the axing of 760 police officers and the force’s 360 police community support officers.

This is all down to ridiculous central government cuts being forced through by an increasingly regressive Conservative Government. The reductions in funding have gone to far and will truly disastrous for Cornwall and strike at the heart of those key public services which aid our local communities.

It also highlights yet another broken Conservative promise.

Prior to coming power in 2010, they pledged that there would be “more police on the street, fighting crime and protecting local communities” – but they are now aiming to dismantle local policing, which is shameful.

Monday, 26 October 2015

My latest monthly report will be presented to tomorrow's meeting of St Enoder Parish Council. It covers the time period 21st September to 26th October 2015, and will be as follows:

1. Council meetings

I have attended a range of formal meetings over the last month. These included: Strategic Planning Committee (x 2), Central Sub-Area Planning Committee, Constitution & Governance Committee, a Group Leaders’ meeting, and a meeting of the China Clay Area Network Panel. I also took the lead in six meetings / pre-agenda / preparatory sessions and local briefings about progress towards the preparation of a Local Plan for Cornwall (through my chairmanship of the Planning Policy Advisory Committee).

In addition to the formal meetings listed above, I have had numerous meetings with council officers and others to discuss a range of issues.

2. Penare Pig Farm, Higher Fraddon and associated AD plant

- Strategic Planning Committee

The three planning applications for Penare are scheduled to be presented to the Strategic Planning Committee on 19th November, now that the previously anticipated committee date of 22nd October did not prove possible. The reasons for the delay are that the committee report took longer to complete due to the complexity of the planning and legal issues relating to the proposals, as well as the need to consult on the addition of two bio-filters to certain buildings within the pig farm complex.

- Public Meeting

As previously reported, I formally requested that Cornwall Council hold a public meeting in Fraddon to allow residents from the local community to address the members of the Strategic Planning Committee.

This meeting took place on Wednesday 23rd September at Kingsley Village and, in advance of the actual meeting, the Cornwall Councillors held a site meeting at Higher Fraddon and spent over an hour looking around the biogas plant and the pig farm.

I thought everyone who spoke at the meeting did extremely well and the councillors I saw after the meeting were very complimentary about the very dignified, professional and measured manner in which local residents put their views across.

The highlight for me was when Tony Bullows criticized the so-called non-material amendment which changed the whole nature of the biogas proposal as “the worst decision since Noah invited two woodworm onto the ark!”

- Letter to Highways England

As also reported last month, following the visit of Roads Minister Andrew Jones MP and Steve Double MP on August 5th, I ensured that a letter was sent from Cornwall Council, Greener for Life and the pig farm to Highways England and Andrew Jones MP.

A response has been received from Highways England which has stated that it would be extremely difficult to justify an alternative access off the A30, but that they would be wiling to meet with Cornwall Council. I have asked senior officers to fast-track arrangements for this meeting.

- Higher Fraddon Community Forum

Because of the imminent meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee, there have been no meetings of the Higher Fraddon Community Forum since 2nd September. I am however continuing to liaise with a range of individuals about the planning applications, the ongoing concerns about traffic movements and smells, etc.

- Recent developments

Since my report to the September Parish Council meeting, I can also report the following:

(i) The biogas plant has been taking more pig slurry in recent weeks, but it is still taking less than it needs to be fully operational. The pig farm is still taking excess slurry out in tractors and tankers.

(ii) Problems at the plant have caused the flare to go off repeatedly which has caused concern and discomfort for local residents.

(iii) In recent weeks, there have been a number of traffic-related incidents on the Higher Fraddon road, which has included blockages caused by large vehicles meeting each other in the lane and damage to trees.

(iv) I managed to get Cornwall Council’s new “sustainable drainage” officer to visit the site to address my concerns about the drainage proposed for the biogas plant and the pig farm. She has raised a number of concerns of her own which have been passed to the case officer.

(v) Cormac carried out the patching of the top section of the Higher Fraddon road in late September and early October. Some additional works were carried at on an adjacent ditch at this time.

3. Redevelopment of Kingsley Village

The planning application for the redevelopment of the Kingsley Village complex (to include a Marks and Spencers store) was presented to Cornwall Council’s Strategic Planning Committee on 22nd October. The planning officer’s report recommended approval; the Parish Council’s support for the proposal was presented by Cllr Jackie Baker, while I spoke in detail about the nature of the suggested conditions.

I had been told by council officers that the application would not be placed before the Strategic Planning Committee until November. This was because, at the end of September, the unitary authority was awaiting further information from the applicant and statutory consultees.

I was surprised when it was brought forward to the October in “something of a rush,” with some issues such as the concerns of Highways England not having been fully addressed.

At the committee meeting, I made it clear that there was strong local support for the proposal but I was also disappointed that the applicant had positioned the building so close to the residents in Penhale Cottages and that I had made representations on this matter. I explained that the applicants had agreed that a 2.5m high acoustic fence be erected around the affected properties, but I added my disappointment that they were otherwise unwilling to move the new building further away from the residents.

I also expressed my disappointment at the flawed nature of a number of the proposed conditions, which I felt was a consequence of the report being brought forward so quickly.

I will just give a few examples.

Many conditions sought further information to be submitted at a later date, such as opening hours for the retail units and controls on when the new car park would be locked. I argued these controls should be agreed and properly conditioned at this time.

Condition 7 referred to the submission of detailed plans for the new junction on the B3275. I noted that the junction would be within the 30mph speed limit but was extremely close to the 60 mph limit. I successfully requested that this condition be strengthened to include the extension of the lower speed limit away from the junction and to ensure that there be additional lining / signing on the B3275 to calm traffic.

Condition 13 meanwhile referenced the acoustic fences which would be constructed around the nearest neighbouring properties. It incorrectly stated that the fence would be 1.8m high, and added that the fences should be erected prior to the car park coming into use. I successfully requested that the fences be erected prior to the commencement of development (including demolition) in order to reduce the impact on the amenity of local residents.

I also sought a guarantee that a Post Office would be retained at the Kingsley Village complex and requested a unilateral undertaking to this effect. Representatives of the applicants (Kingsley Developers and CPG) reassured me that the Post Office would not be lost, but I am still seeking a written commitment to this.

The application was passed, subject to Highways England being satisfied with the road network, and improvements to the conditions presented to the meeting. Also, due to the nature of the application, it will also have to be referred to central government.

4. South West Water improvements at St Columb Road

South West Water is presently replacing over 200m of old water pipes at St Columb Road. There are presently four-way traffic lights at the crossroads, which have caused traffic problems while the local shops have reported a significant drop in trade linked to this.

Radio Cornwall did visit the area and interviewed a number of local people, including myself. It was broadcast on 23rd October. I strongly made the point that St Columb Road was still “open for business,” but also welcomed the investment in the improved piping.

I have been in contact with South West Water and they have confirmed that the works at the actual junction will be completed within two weeks. New piping will then be laid towards the Halloon roundabout, when there will only be two-way traffic lights and the congestion at the crossroads is likely to be much reduced.

5. Flooding problems at Trevarren

As I have reported previously, South West Water are also making improvements to the sewerage network in the greater St Columb area. Members will be aware that I have been making representations on behalf of the residents of Trevarren for over a decade.

The residents remain concerned about the surcharge of waste from the foul water sewer onto the highway at Trevarren, and I am pleased to be able to report that the water authority were due to hold a meeting on 26th October to decide which one of two potential schemes could be implemented in the hamlet. I have also been informed that the works would be undertaken within this financial year.

6. Bus services to Summercourt

Following the open meeting with First which took place in Summercourt New Memorial Hall on 27th August, I have continued to communicate with Alex Carter, the managing director of the bus company.

Members will recall that Mr Carter gave a firm commitment to include a once-an-hour Summercourt stop on the Newquay / Truro route (both directions), and stated that he would work with the local community and Cornwall Council to finalise the details of how this would happen.

It is taking a little longer to arrange than Mr Carter stated at the meeting, but he is still committed to making the improvements. He is meeting with Cornwall Council this week and, having spoken to him last week, I anticipate that I will be able to produce a newsletter to inform local residents about progress within the next ten days or so.

7. Planning

I have been actively involved with a large number of ongoing applications. Listed below are a couple of examples, though this list is by no means exhaustive:- Mobile homes on the Kelliers (PA15/06186)

As we know, this part-retrospective application for mobile homes on the Kelliers was refused. I am continuing to liaise between local residents and enforcement officers about investigations into the present unconsented activity on the site.

- Single affordable home at Whitecross (PA15/02753)

This application for a single affordable home was considered at the meeting of the Central Sub-Area Planning Committee on 26th October. Michael Hopkins represented the Parish Council and spoke in favour, as did I. It was approved with conditions.

8. Discussions with Cormac

On Tuesday 6th October, I met with the new Cormac team in our area to discuss a range of issues. I am awaiting detailed feedback on most points and I will update whenever I receive more information. The discussions included the following:

- Poorly-maintained areas

I once again raised concerns about the brambles and unkempt / damaged entrance to Heather Meadow, Fraddon, and other areas such as the grassy bank at the top of the Drang, Indian Queens. The present lack of resource means that it is unlikely that the tidying up of such areas are to be prioritised, and now is probably the time for the Parish Council to start a serious dialogue with the unitary authority about taking control over some additional areas as part of our grass cutting.

- Queries from local residents

I reported a number of issues from local residents about health and safety concerns, slight flooding, the untrimmed nature of hedges through Fraddon and towards St Columb Road, as well as infestations of Japanese Knotweed.

- Update from Asset and Design team

I have formally requested an update from the above team on progress with those possible schemes referred to them. These include the need to improve the drains through Fraddon and address the rising water problem in the pavement to the east of Queens Garage

- Requests for speed checks

I have reaffirmed my requests for a number of speed checks to build up evidence to better assess local problems with speeding traffic.

I continue to speak the owners of this land (Kingsley Developers) on a weekly basis to encourage them to speed up the transfer of this land into the ownership of the Parish Council as previously agreed.

10. Panel to choose new Chief Executive

Some months ago, I was appointed to the interview panel to select a new Chief Executive for Cornwall Council.

I have found the whole process extremely frustrating and, thus far, most of the meetings were arranged around the diaries of certain Cabinet members. It meant that most meetings were timetabled when I was either on holiday or had other existing commitments.

The actual interviews for the applicants will take place over two-days and now clash with Strategic Planning Committee on 19th November when the three applications from Penare will be debated.

I have therefore withdrawn from the interview panel.

11. Inquiries

During the last month, I have also helped numerous people and local organisations with advice and guidance on a wide range of issues.

Sunday, 25 October 2015

The Prime Minister and the Chancellor claim that low income households will not lose out if the Conservatives go ahead with slashing tax credit payments. They continue to argue that the low-paid will be more than compensated through a package of other changes including increases in the minimum wage (renamed as the so-called "national living wage"), the increase in the tax-free allowance and increased childcare support.

But a host of “experts” and think-tanks strongly disagree. The independent Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has written that it is “arithmetically impossible” for poorer families not to lose out, while even the “free market” Adam Smith Institute (ASI) slammed the proposed cuts.

The ASI commented that “working tax credits are the best form of welfare we have, and cutting them would be a huge mistake” adding that “cutting tax credits would disincentivise work and hurt those at the bottom of society.”

It was certainly claim and counter-claim in the House of Commons last week when MPs debated a motion to cancel the tax credit cuts, which was lost by 317 votes to 295.

The opposition parties were united in demanding a rethink, but most Conservative MPs dutifully and repeatedly trotted out those same soundbites uttered by George Osborne in recent weeks.

Independent Northern Ireland MP Sylvia Hermon expressed her embarrassment and anger that she had previously voted in favour of the cuts “on the clear understanding that there would be mitigation … of the worst effects of the cuts,” though this had since been ruled out by the Conservative Party.

But most telling of all, a small number of Tories went off-message, rejected the arguments of their leaders and attacked the tax credit cuts.

Cambridgeshire MP Heidi Allen warned that the cuts were "too hard and too fast." She said: “Everything we do must pass the family test, but cutting tax credits before wages rise does not achieve that.” The MP added: "Sending a message to the poorest and most vulnerable in our society that we do not care does not achieve that either."

Plymouth MP Johnny Mercer meanwhile urged caution and appealed to the Chancellor to do “something – anything – that might mitigate the harshest effects of this policy on our most vulnerable.”

It seems to me that if the Conservatives do refuse to rethink their tax credit cuts, they will themselves have made a mockery of their oft-repeated and often ridiculed claim to be a “compassionate” party.

Monday, 19 October 2015

In this week’s Cornish Guardian, my column again addresses government cuts and the chronic under-funding of public services in Cornwall. It will be as follows:

Last week’s announcements by the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary related to their decision to close 34 police stations show that the funding reductions really have gone way too far.

This follows the loss of around 500 police officers and numerous civilian support staff, while the Police and Crime Commissioner has warned there could still be worse to follow.

Interviewed this week, the Commissioner’s Chief Executive told reporters that: “Until recently the plans were based on us having to make £29 million worth of savings but we are now expected to make an additional £25 million savings – bringing the total to £54 million.”

This is frankly ridiculous and I consider it unconscionable that local policing is being undermined by such devastating cuts.

And I also find it absolutely shameful that the cuts are being pushed through by a political party which, during the 2010 General Election that brought them to power, promised to protect policing.

I still have copies of their leaflets distributed in Cornwall at that time.

One stated: “We have done the sums and can say with confidence that we will … put more police on patrol.”

Another included a statement from the-then shadow Home Secretary Nick Grayling, who said: “It is dishonest to claim that we will cut police officer numbers. In fact, our plans to cut bureaucracy and red tape mean that there would be more police on the street, fighting crime and protecting local communities.”

Such mock outrage now looks pretty threadbare.

I have glanced through the 2015 Conservative manifesto to see what they are now saying about falling police numbers. They actually, somewhat cynically, claim that they are increasing the “proportion of officers working on the frontline …”

Talking of promises, there is growing anger that David Cameron has also gone back on his promise not to cut tax credits.

The Conservatives may claim that people will not lose out due to other changes, such as the increase in the minimum wage, but the Institute for Fiscal Studies disagrees.

The independent institute says that it is “arithmetically impossible” for families not to lose out from the cuts, while some of our poorest households could lose over one thousand pounds a year.

Surely it is time for the Government to rethink its approach on these two issues.

Sunday, 18 October 2015

It is less than four weeks to the MK Annual Conference. It will take place at New County Hall on Saturday 14th November.

Doors will open at 9.15, with the Conference itself getting underway at 10.00. Non-members are also welcome to attend the afternoon session, which will begin at 2.00, and include my keynote address along with discussions about MK’s campaign priorities.

I would be really delighted to see you at the event.

The Conference paperwork will soon be available and I will post further details on this blog. The paperwork can also be requested from me at dickcole@btinternet.com.